Iowa vs. Nebraska Football: Is This the Big Ten's New Best Rivalry?

Today's game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes will be the start to a new rivalry game that looks like it could become one of college football's best. The matchup is being labeled the "Heroes Game" and since Nebraska has moved to the Big Ten this game will take place every year.

These two teams have met a total of 31 times and this will be the first game since 2000.

Although the outcome of this game really doesn't mean much to the college football world considering both teams are out of the Big Ten race, it does mean something to the fans of these two teams as they are bordering states and will get to hate each other much more as the years go by.

So, is this the Big Ten's best new rivalry?

I guess you could say that. Both of these programs have a ton of history and with them being so close to one another, it adds a little more excitement to the game.

However, I would like these two programs to win a little bit more and become a little more relevant before we go a little overboard with this game.

Nebraska against Michigan isn't a bad rivalry game that could spread in the Big Ten. Both of those teams have great tradition and history and could become one of those games you have to circle on your calendar every season.

Although regardless of which rivalry is the best in the "new" Big Ten, it's going to take a lot to reach the status of Ohio State-Michigan and Ohio State-Penn State.

Those rivalries may have lost a little bit of luster over the years but no matter how those teams are doing year in and year out, you still make time to watch it. That's what makes a great rivalry game. 

Only time will tell if these two teams can ever get to that level.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]